Alabama
USS Alabama - Park and launch from a pull off on the side of Battleship Parkway (Hwy 90) before you cross the bay going toward the park where the battleship is kept. See the satellite picture in the galleries link here that shows where we launched. From here paddle west back under the bridge toward the ship. The water is usually pretty calm but the morning is the best time to go. There is very little parking and NO facilities where we launched, but it is very close to the ship. The day we went it was very foggy and there were no boats out in the bay. The water was smooth as glass and the wildlife was sitting. It was BEAUTIFUL!! The USS Alabama looked like a giant ghost ship rising from the depths. If you get lucky enough to get these same conditions you won't regret it. Stay close to the shore since visibility is so poor. Take a tour on the ship after you take out. GREAT TRIP!! See more pics here - USS Alabama - 5
Lake Eufaula, AL - There are several places to launch on the lake. Some campgrounds have beach launch or use the boat ramp at Lakepoint Resort State Park. The lake was really calm when we were there. It was a nice early morning paddle with excellent wildlife including large alligators. A 10+ footer slowly crossed perpendicular to us after about an hour on the water. We got good pictures of it. More pics here - Lake Eufaula. 3
Tennessee
Downtown Chattanooga - There are several ramps to launch from along the river. We launched at a kayak ramp in Coolidge Park. Get there early to find a parking place. The ramp is steep and muddy at the water. There are restrooms in the park. Parking is free. Launching is free. There is a kayak shop in the park and you can rent kayaks from Outdoor Chattanooga. This is a scenic spot to kayak and there are plenty of places to have a nice outdoor lunch after a morning paddle around Maclellan Island. (You can land on the island on the north side about the middle. There is a kayak rack along the shore. The water is usually calm to mild chop. See more pics here - Downtown Chattanooga. - 4
Downtown Nashville, Cumberland River - The skyline and the bridge are great, but the river is FAST. Be careful. Check maps and satellite views before you go. BEWARE -You will need to be a strong paddler to get back from downtown in the 6+ mph current. We did enjoy the trip in spite of the strong current. We left up river, drifted west down current toward the city and the paddled back east up current to our launch point. Launch at Shelby Park Greenway boat ramp - near 1900 Davidson St. Nashville, TN 37206. See more pics here - Nashville Downtown, Cumberland River. - 3
Knoxville, TN - launch at Gov. Ned McWherter Riverside Landing Park 1648 Riverside Dr, Knoxville, TN. We paddled east along the James White Greenway past Calhoun's to Neyland Stadium. The water is calm and the current light. Great metropolitan kayak trip. Bring the bikes and ride around town and have lunch. If you ever get the chance catch a football game at Neyland. It is a great stadium. See more pics here - Knoxville, TN. 4
Booker T. Washington State Park, TN - launch at the boat dock or ramp at 5801 Champion Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37416. The dock is tall so be careful. Lots of parking and restroom facilities when they are unlocked during the summer season. This is a good place to start a trip on the Tennessee River or good for first time training in the very calm protected cove. Watch for the large Gar fish that are plentiful in the cove. If you coast quietly along the shore they will come to the surface and glide along beside you. The water on the river will change based on weather and can be pretty choppy, but manageable. See more pics here - Booker T. Washington State Park. 3.5.
Harrison Bay State Park, TN - launch at the boat ramp at 8411 Harrison Bay Rd, Harrison, TN 37341. Lots of parking and restroom facilities are available. This is a good place to kayak, camp and mountain bike on the trails next to the boat ramp. The water is usually calm to mild chop with the occasional boat wake from a skier or high speed bass boat. Go early in the morning when the fogs sits on the water for some great wildlife pictures. The best wildlife is in the shallow water on the south side of John A. Patten Island right in the middle of the bay. See more here - Harrison Bay State Park, TN. 4.
Douglas Lake, TN - head toward Dandridge Municipal Park and launch at 149 Public Dr. Dandridge TN 37725 off of Chectnut just after you cross the bridge. There is plenty of parking and free launch at the public ramp, but no restroom facilities. The water was calm on the drizzly day that we were there. The mountains peeked above the clouds in the distance. This lake will probably be filled with bass boats on a nice summer day so beware of the 60 mph bass fishermen in a hurry to catch the big one. See more pics here - Douglas Lake, TN - 3
Cherokee Lake, TN - launch at Panther Creek State Park 2010 Panther Creek Park Rd, Morristown, TN 37814. There is plenty of parking but no restroom facilities. No fee public ramp. There was a light rain the day we went with low lying fog. It was a surreal environment. We were surrounded by beautiful mountains from every angle, lightly clouded by the mist. The water was calm as glass over most of the lake. It was great time to be on the water. This lake will probably fill up with bass boats on nice days. See more pics here - Cherokee Lake. 3.5
Wolftever Creek, Chattanooga, TN - launch at a free public boat ramp 8002 TN-58, Harrison, TN 37341. No restroom facilities. Plenty of parking. Ramp and dock. Head into Chickamauga Lake by heading east under the bridge or head west deep into the creek. The creek water is calm, but there are blind corners where high speed boats pose a serious danger. Stay along the shore. The wakes in the narrow creek can be very large. This is a nice wildlife trip. See more pics here - Wolftever Creek - 2.5
Marion County, TN River - launch at Anchor Inn Bait and Tackle 11009 US-41, Guild, TN 37340. There may be a restroom in the store. Plenty of parking. ramp launch. There will likely be a lot of fishing boats int he area. The water is calm in the morning and gets a little choppy throughout the day. See more pics here - Marion County, TN - 2.5
Lake Ocoee, TN - launch at 2496 US-64, Benton, TN 37307. This is a very scenic lake in the southeast mountains of Tennessee. The water is calm and suitable for beginners. There is camping and mountain biking at Chilhowie nearby. There is a restroom nearby. Ramp launch with dock. See more pics here - Lake Ocoee, TN - 2.5
Skull Island, Harrison, TN - launch at a ramp along the side of the road on Birchwood Pike near 10815 Birchwood Pike Harrison, TN 37341. You can drive by it very easy, so watch carefully. The water in this are is shallow and calm. Suitable for beginners. Very little parking and no facilities. See more pics here - Skull Island, TN - 2.5
Chickamauga Lake, Chattanooga, TN - launch at the boat ramp at 3001 Kings Point Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37416. There is plenty of parking and restroom facilities are nearby. Free. We have paddle all over Chickamauga Lake on several trips. The water ranges from glass smooth to really choppy. There are a lot of pleasure boats and high speed bass boats on nice summer days. Plenty of wildlife including bald eagles, osprey and hawks galore. This is a great place to paddle especially on a trip heading north toward Harrison Bay. The picture was taken on New Years Day 2007 right smack in the middle of the lake. See more pics here - Chickamauga Lake. 4.
Georgia
Lake Lanier, Atlanta, GA - Launch at the boat ramp in Lanier Park 1360 Buford Dam Rd, Buford, GA 30518 at the end of Lanier Park Rd. Nice calm water paddle near the city. See more pics here - Lake Lanier, GA. - 3
West Point Lake, Lagrange, GA - launch at Horace King Park off of Roanoke Rd (109) Lagrange, GA 30240. Ramp. Restrooms. Scenic rural lake with calm water. Suitable for beginners. See more pics here - West Point Lake, AL - 3.
South Carolina
Lake Hartwell, SC - There are several places to launch into the lake. We launched at the end of Smith Mill Rd behind Days Inn at 1007 George Smith Mill Rd, Anderson, SC 29625. We left really early in the morning on a spring day. The fog was right on the water and the lake was like glass. It was an ethereal setting. It was so quiet you could hear fish jumping all over the lake. We paddled slowly and glided as much as possible to enjoy the mystical experience. Anytime you can get on the water in these conditions take advantage of it. This lake gets a lot of boat traffic on nice summer days, but the water conditions are rarely overwhelming other than boat wakes. See more pics here - Lake Hartwell, SC. - 3